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He Knows My Name




 My mother named me after an old bachelor farmer named Steve. Why? Because he was a nice guy. I guess that´s a good enough reason. I never met the man, but I´m satisfied to be his namesake, and my name has served me well.

When it came time to name my own kids, it was tougher. I was a middle school teacher. Many students had come and gone. Memories of them were fresh. Several names were eliminated.

Seriously, to a father and an educator names are crucial. There is magic in hearing your name spoken in a knowing, positive way. It grabs your attention, buoys the spirit, and makes your day when somebody calls you and knows you by name.

How vital then to believe in the fact that God knows us by name.

When God called Samuel to the ministry, He spoke the name "Samuel" several times--out loud. I´ve always been struck by this because God knew Samuel´s name, and he addressed him in such a personal way. Apparently, Samuel was surprised as well. He went to the priest Eli each time and asked why he, Eli, had called him. Eli finally recognized that God was calling Samuel, and he told the boy. Learning this had to be a huge boost of confidence for Samuel. God knew him. He knew his name, and he wanted his service.

I have often longed for that same assurance, to know that God knows me by name. I want the confidence of knowing He will call me, too; that my name is written in His book and that I am worth something to Him.

One thing that has boosted my confidence is an experience. Understand, I´m not experienced with experiences. Great spiritual happenings are not happening to me on a regular basis. Still, I share this.

I had a recurring dream for several years after my first Dad died. It was a nightmare about tornadoes. The dreams horrified me to the point that I thought something was wrong with me, and I never shared the nightmares with anyone. Later, after some healing regarding these dreams, I shared them with my brother. He had suffered through the same dreams as I.

The last tornado nightmare I remember began with me trapped in a glass house that was surrounded by tornadoes on all sides. The only piece of furniture in the one room house was a crude wooden table set in the middle of the room. The only other thing in the house was me, a terrified me. I remained terrified until a ball of light descended onto the table and gradually changed into a simple stone, a stone with my name written on it. The tornadoes disappeared as did my fear. I never had a tornado nightmare again. God knew my name, and everything was going to be O.K.

I searched the scriptures for significance to a stone with my name on it. This is what I found: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To Him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it. Rev. 2:17.

The dream and the verse meant a great deal to me personally, but I didn´t start the Whitestone Baptist Church. What has meant more is the obvious evidence in all of Scripture that assures me that God has a personal interest in all of us. Jesus´ names may be the best assurance of all, especially, Immanuel, "God With Us" and Jesus, "the Lord Saves." With the special care given by the Father to naming his own son, I am sure that my name and your name are significant as well. A Saviour whose name means "to save us and be with us" is a Saviour who knows us well.

He knows my name.

He knows yours, too.



About the Author:


 Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.